DEPUTY QUITS OVER RQ TRANSPARENCY

RACING Queensland has been plunged into turmoil after deputy chairman Barry Taylor quit the board following a bitter feud with chairman Kevin Dixon over transparency of boardroom decision-making.

DANIEL MEERS reports in THE COURIER MAIL that the resignation is a major blow to the Newman government who cleaned out Racing Queensland and launched an inquiry into the actions of the previous board which saw former chairman Bob Bentley, Labor powerbroker Bill Ludwig and eight others referred to ASIC.

Last week board members were sent a directive to close corporate betting accounts because of probity issues with the multi-billion TAB deal which is being negotiated.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Mr Taylor and Mr Dixon had multiple boardroom stoushes in recent months and shared a cold relationship.

Racing Queensland has an over-arching All Codes board as well as separate boards for the thoroughbreds, greyhound and harness-racing codes.

It is understood there is a growing perception among some board members that a “kitchen cabinet” has formed of exclusive directors and senior executives who are making significant decisions without widespread consultation.